Help! Hot signal from Mesa WD 800 Direct Out

[Cubkev70]

Hey pros, I’m a gear dope and need help. A sound guy at a bar we play a lot says my Mesa head direct out signal is too hot and keeps clipping his system. He makes me turn it so low that it loses the beautiful Mesa tone. Anyone know a solution (besides telling him not to run me through the system and I’ll just turn up the damn amp)??

Thanks!

 

[ddnidd1]

Do you have the switch set for mic level rather than line level.

 

[Cubkev70]

Do you have the switch set for mic level rather than line level.

It’s on line level. Should it be mic level?

 

[MCF]

Post your question here as well please. Lots of Mesa experts hang out here:
Official Mesa Boogie Subway Series Club

 

[dbase]

I let the sound guy set the amp the way he wants .. usually Line and also make sure you have the switch in front set on active if your using an active bass.

 

[agedhorse]

If the level is too hot on line level, switch to mic level. That’s what the switch is for.

You might want to read over the manual, this is discussed under the DI section.

Also, the sound guy might want to learn about how the pad function on his mixer works.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Mic level is lower output

From manual;

DI LEVEL SWITCH This switch selects between sending mic level (about -30dBu) or line level signal (about +4dBu) from the DI OUTPUT jack. Mic level is probably more commonly used when sending a signal to a PA console (though pro consoles can almost always handle line level), and the line level signal is most often used for driving a recording interface (many are set up for line level only) or when using the Subway D-800+ as a preamp and driving an external power amp (with the signal source set to post-eq). When driving an external power amp, the power amp’s input sensitivity control will function in place of the Subway D-800+ MASTER VOLUME control.

PS; Andy beat me to it

 

[Cubkev70]

If the level is too hot on line level, switch to mic level. That’s what the switch is for.

You might want to read over the manual, this is discussed under the DI section.

Also, the sound guy might want to learn about how the pad function on his mixer works.

Thanks brotha. I’ll read manual again. Yeah, he’s real old school and just switched to digital board. Appreciate your time.

 

[agedhorse]

Nothing wrong with old school provided it’s good old school. He’s probably facing a steeper learning curve than he anticipated.

 

[MDBass]

It’s on line level. Should it be mic level?

Correct, it should be on mic level.

 

[Geri O]

Thanks brotha. I’ll read manual again. Yeah, he’s real old school and just switched to digital board. Appreciate your time.

That’s no excuse for not utilizing an input pad on the mixing console.

Input pads have been part of analog consoles of any stature for years.
I’m old school. Still no excuse.

It’s also good to learn about your WD800 so you can help out junior varsity guys like that.

 

[Michael Pearce]

With regard to line or mic level, the DI and the mixer board need to be in agreement. If you're outputting at line level, and it's too hot for the mixer board, then the mixer board must be expecting a mic level input. Change one of them so they match.

If both options are available at both ends, line level is the one to prefer. Mic level is fairly weak (in the case of a dynamic microphone, it is literally the amount of electrical energy that can be converted from sound waves). Line level has a better signal-to-noise ratio, which could be significant on a long cable run.

 

[Cubkev70]

That’s no excuse for not utilizing an input pad on the mixing console.

Input pads have been part of analog consoles of any stature for years.
I’m old school. Still no excuse.

It’s also good to learn about your WD800 so you can help out junior varsity guys like that.

Thanks brotha. Man, I’ve read the manual front and back and don’t genuinely comprehend half of it. Just don’t have that technical mindset. Probably killed too many brain cells in my youth -

 

[Cubkev70]

With regard to line or mic level, the DI and the mixer board need to be in agreement. If you're outputting at line level, and it's too hot for the mixer board, then the mixer board must be expecting a mic level input. Change one of them so they match.

If both options are available at both ends, line level is the one to prefer. Mic level is fairly weak (in the case of a dynamic microphone, it is literally the amount of electrical energy that can be converted from sound waves). Line level has a better signal-to-noise ratio, which could be significant on a long cable run.

That’s really helpful (and well written). I actually get it! LOL.

 

[nnnnnn]

make sure you have the switch in front set on active if your using an active bass.

I have the D-809 rather than WD-800, but with my active basses I never need the active setting on the amp. Plenty of active basses out there with output level similar to or not much higher than the average passive bass. (Unless you use extreme EQ boost settings on the bass, which I don't.)

 

[P. Aaron]

Thanks for posting this. Now I know too.

Being a married man, I might not remember tho'.

 

[Ewo]

If the level is too hot on line level, switch to mic level. That’s what the switch is for.

You might want to read over the manual, this is discussed under the DI section.

Also, the sound guy might want to learn about how the pad function on his mixer works.

I've experienced that more than once. When the FOH runs a line to my Mesa's built-in DI I always ask if he/she prefers mic or line level. Most are clued about the difference, but some don't seem to be. In that case, I send mic level.

 

[Al Kraft]

I've experienced that more than once. When the FOH runs a line to my Mesa's built-in DI I always ask if he/she prefers mic or line level. Most are clued about the difference, but some don't seem to be. In that case, I send mic level.

I always ask as well Steve. Whenever possible I try to talk to the sound tech early enough before the show to establish a rapport that will help us work together better.

I think many people don't appreciate the fact that when a band shows up at a venue, the sound tech becomes a crucial new member for that show. Getting to know them a little and share a few thoughts about how you and the sound tech to work is well worth the investment IME.

 

[MCF]

Thanks brotha. Man, I’ve read the manual front and back and don’t genuinely comprehend half of it. Just don’t have that technical mindset. Probably killed too many brain cells in my youth -

Mesa manuals are well written. But like a lot of technical stuff, they require a few read throughs. Then you’ll remember what’s discussed and can use them as a quick reference.

But as you’ve discovered, asking here is great. The amount of knowledge I’ve gained hanging around is priceless and I’m by no means technically inclined.

 

[matt_s]

Get an xlr inline attenuator. I have this one it has a switch for -10, -20, -30 dB attenuation. It was recommended by a very talented sound engineer I know, and works great for one of my amps that has a really hot line out.
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